Youths encouraged to have candid discussions on issues affecting them

The more than 400 young people from across Guyana that will be participating in the inaugural National Youth Conference have been encouraged to tackle issues affecting them in a frank manner. This was the charge by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton who was addressing the young people at a reception held for them at the Baridi Benab, State House.

The minister told the youths that the conference will provide them with the ideal opportunity to represent the needs of young people.

“The interactions that you will have here tonight will serve to build your discussion of tomorrow. It will equip you with fresh perspectives and ideas on all sorts of issues affecting Guyana’s young people” the minister stated.

Minister Norton reminded the youths that by sharing their different views and experiences they will be able to develop a sense of appreciation for their peers. This, he said, can pave the way for both self and community development.

The young people were all eager to use the conference which commences tomorrow as a way to develop their communities and empower other youths.Vaughn Duncan from Lethem, Region Nine plans to use the knowledge that he will gain from the conference to his advantage. “I am looking to take back something new, something that I can do in my community to make it better in terms of youth development and other aspects that will develop my community” Duncan stated.

Kimberly Manbodh told the DPI that she is there for the experience and as a means of finding long-term solutions to issues affecting young people. Manbodh said “I think it is a great initiative and my expectation is to have more youth involved, hear their issues, see what they share and hopefully issues surrounding youths can be resolved in the long run.”

Sule Collymore, representing the youth group Ikemba, said that the hope is to have young people more involved in the political arena. “Overall we are particularly looking at youth advocacy and also to have youths involved more in the political system. We have local government elections coming up, so we can use this platform as a means of political socialisation and youth involvement” Collymore pointed out.

Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael-Haynes said that inaugural National Youth Conference signals the government’s commitment to youth advancement. The Youth Director encouraged the young people to make the best of the opportunity being presented to them.

The conference officially commences tomorrow at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre and will conclude on September 27. The youths will observe presentations and engage in discussion with Non-Governmental Organisations, government agencies and other entities.